James McClean,thoughts?

James McClean today turned his back during the national anthem for West Brom's game today.

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Firstly, why have a national anthem at a friendly? Bonkers.

Secondly, its not HIS national anthem. I don't think I have ever stood with hand on heart when England national anthem plays out at the Millennium.

Thirdly, there is a long and bloody history between his country and the countries national anthem he is expected to observe. He isn't being disrespectful, just bowing his head and taking no part in it.

Good on him.

Firstly, why have a national anthem at a friendly? Bonkers.

Secondly, its not HIS national anthem. I don't think I have ever stood with hand on heart when England national anthem plays out at the Millennium.

Thirdly, there is a long and bloody history between his country and the countries national anthem he is expected to observe. He isn't being disrespectful, just bowing his head and taking no part in it.

Good on him.

He's a attention seeking little scumbag,not all the players are English but they have enough respect to not turn their back he's a shit player who should fuk off back to Ireland if he hates British ppl so much

Firstly, why have a national anthem at a friendly? Bonkers.

Secondly, its not HIS national anthem. I don't think I have ever stood with hand on heart when England national anthem plays out at the Millennium.

Thirdly, there is a long and bloody history between his country and the countries national anthem he is expected to observe. He isn't being disrespectful, just bowing his head and taking no part in it.

Good on him.

Agree.

He's an Irish man from Derry. I totally admire him for his republican beliefs. It's not our National anthem anyway, it's all about elitist ,wealthy, privileged monarchy. I wish more footballers had the guts to stand by their principles.

Ok fair enough.

Then f**k off and play in ireland.

I suppose u agree with him not wearing a poppy and being a republican c**t who have killed many of British soldiers,aye well done gd on him,and all of u thinking it's ok should hang ur heads in shame,it's a fukin disgrace!

Ok fair enough.

Then f**k off and play in ireland.

Exactly! I live in belfast I know what it's like here he's just being a tw*t for attention,no need to be so anti British and if he is fuk off back to Ireland and stop accepting the queens money

And, I am sure he turns a blind eye to the queen being on every pound that he earns in England.

And the taxes he pays to the state.

No such thing as the English anthem it's the brittish one Ebglabd don't have one they should use Labd of hope and Glory for there's IMO. Also nothing wrong with what McLean did it's not his anthem he's Irish.

Like all of them over here mate they are republican bastards when it suits,when his mum and dad are dying and need hospital help will he turn them down cos they are British?? Will he fuk they'll get free medical care cos they live in Britain not Ireland so he should respect the country of which his employers are from

Absolute idiot. Why not just stand there. Bowing his head is just attention speaking. Does he do it for other national anthems? I doubt it.

I suppose u agree with him not wearing a poppy and being a republican c**t who have killed many of British soldiers,aye well done gd on him,and all of u thinking it's ok should hang ur heads in shame,it's a fukin disgrace!

Absolutely agree with his right to not want to wear a poppy. Surely if we tell people what organisations they must show allegiance to, then that becomes a fascist dictatorship? Something the British army historically fought for this country to not become?

A bit of historical knowledge or research will show the possible reasons a young Derry man may not want to show allegiance to the British army or Military based National Anthem. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_(1972)

Not showing allegiance to the British military and having a job in England are completely different things.

Mate I live in northern Ireland don't try and tell me he has reasons for hating British ppl I live around this shit daily,no other Irish players get on the way he does he's just a attention seeking little rat

Mate I live in northern Ireland don't try and tell me he has reasons for hating British ppl I live around this shit daily,no other Irish players get on the way he does he's just a attention seeking little rat

Im sure he doesn't hate British people, just has an aversion to showing allegiance to the British government and military. And I can absolutely see his point of view. It would be great disrespect for the murdered civilians of Derry at the hands of the British military if he then observed the military based British National anthem. You can call him any name you want or doubt his intentions, but to me, he is perfectly entitled to not wish to take part in it.

Might as well bow his head when ireland play germany. Or are we selective with not forgetting tyranny?.

For those knocking his stand did not the Welsh players in the Olympics refuse to sing GSTQ?

The military based words to the national anthem for those who don't know:-

Anybody who cant understand why a lad from Derry doesn't wish to participate in this is beyond my comprehension.


God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!

O lord God arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall!
Confound their knavish tricks,
Confuse their politics,
On you our hopes we fix,
God save the Queen!

Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world ov'er

From every latent foe,
From the assasins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign!
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen!

Haha I wouldn't sing it either I'm Welsh not British

Has the 'British' national anthem dropped the verse about crushing the 'rebellious Scots'?

The miserable dirge of a tune is bad enough - the words are much worse. The there is all the baggage that comes with it....

James McClean has been very clear and polite and reasoned about his stance on the National Anthem over the past 2-3 years. He just abstains when it is played and does nothing to interfere with anyone else and the way they choose to respond. Good on him.

And we are always happy to hear the English anthem. Leave the bog woop it to it.

Money doesn't buy you class and this guy is a prime example of that

For those knocking his stand did not the Welsh players in the Olympics refuse to sing GSTQ?

I assume not all those pictured are English. I would also assume that some of their countries have been affected by the British Empire at some point in their existence.

It is about moving on.

I almost guarantee he grew up with his father banging on about England and tyranny.

If he feels that strongly about not respecting the flag, then leave. Simple as that really.

I wonder if the friends and families of the murdered victims of the IRA would show a complete lack of class when hearing the Irish anthem ?

Its all about choices which we have all have a right to make. I don't necassarily agree with it, but, his choice was to not take part, doesn't matter whether we agree or not, it was his choice. Anyway given all this nazi salute press, I am sure Liz is not overly bothered right now.

It is nothing to do with possessing class and it also matters little what the other non British players did. It is a personal choice, he is standing true to what he believes in.

You could argue it would lack class to observe a British military song about killing the enemy, when not so long ago that same British military murdered scores of innocent civilians in his home town. If you can say you would observe the Iraqi military national anthem if they killed a load of innocent Cardiff civilians then more power to you. I wouldn't however, and respect his decision also to abstain.

The trouble is he hasn't just abstained or opted out from something, he has made a concious effort to make sure his view/opinion is noticed. Lots of things have happened in history which many countries probably shouldn't be too proud of. If you feel that strongly about something, then perhaps it's a bit hypocritical to take the shilling from a country you despise.

Probably best to try and keep sport and politics apart.

The trouble is he hasn't just abstained or opted out from something, he has made a concious effort to make sure his view/opinion is noticed. Lots of things have happened in history which many countries probably shouldn't be too proud of. If you feel that strongly about something, then perhaps it's a bit hypocritical to take the shilling from a country you despise.

Probably best to try and keep sport and politics apart.

Again, I'm sure he doesn't despise the country itself, just the government led military action against his people. I think its a bit of a cheap cop out to say he shouldn't play for an English team, its not related to not wanting to pay homage to an organisation that murdered his people.

I also don't think he is making a big song and dance about it, just making sure he isn't mistakenly thought to be part of it to the friends and family back in Derry who are no doubt connected in some way to the bloody Sunday massacre victims.

It is nothing to do with possessing class and it also matters little what the other non British players did. It is a personal choice, he is standing true to what he believes in.

You could argue it would lack class to observe a British military song about killing the enemy, when not so long ago that same British military murdered scores of innocent civilians in his home town. If you can say you would observe the Iraqi military national anthem if they killed a load of innocent Cardiff civilians then more power to you. I wouldn't however, and respect his decision also to abstain.

Of course it's to do with class. How many innocents did the IRA kill during the troubles yet after a couple of beers I bet he sings pro-IRA songs with his mates.